Employment law for individuals

Want to talk to an expert employment law solicitor?

You'll receive a callback from a specialist within an hour

At Redmans our charges are open and transparent. We will always agree the funding method and estimated costs before we start work with you on your matter and we update clients on what costs have been incurred on a weekly basis – our aim is to be up-front and transparent about costs. We avoid hidden surprises and we always take on board any comments you have about our charges. Before sending you any invoice we will send you our itemised cost breakdown so that you, the client, know what you’re being charged for and so we can answer any questions that you have on your timesheet.

Cost-benefit analysis

We weigh up your options of taking legal action as opposed to not taking legal action. This is often known as “cost benefit analysis”. The cases that we deal with are not always about recovering money or compensation. Often, keeping your job and avoiding a dismissal is far more valuable to the client than receiving a payment from the employer.

We provide reasonable cost estimates using our best judgement of the likely cost. In circumstances of pre-action negotiation and/or actual litigation it is not always easy to determine what final costs may be, but we base our analysis on our general experience with such cases and the specific circumstances of your matter. If we think we need to revise our cost estimate we will let you know.

We do not want costs to be a barrier to access to justice and we always look at ways to achieve desired results within the individual’s means. We can put a price cap on costs so that when the costs reach a certain amount, agreement is sought from you to proceed further.

Rates are normally determined by reference to the Guideline Hourly rates set by the Civil Justice Council (which can be found on this Government website).

Disbursements

If we make a charge for a disbursement such as barrister’s fee, postage or photocopying then we do so with your prior implied or express authority and we avoid making any excessive charges.

Consultation meeting

We offer a first consultation meeting at a reduced fee or free of charge (depending on the circumstances) – this is either on the telephone or a face-to-face meeting (it will almost always be a telephone call for first consultations). This enables us to understand your case, and for you to get to know us and understand our expertise. At the first consultation meeting we will identify the relevant facts, identify the relevant legal issues in your particular case, advise you on your options and next steps, suggest a funding option, and advise you on the likely cost of instructing Redmans.

We follow up this meeting by sending you details of what was discussed as well as a copy of our terms and conditions.

Funding options

There are a number of ways to pay legal fees that Redmans offers:

Hourly rate (or ‘pay as you go’) – an agreed hourly rate for a particular piece of work

No win no fee (via a ‘contingency fee agreement/damages based agreement’ or a conditional fee agreement) – we don’t get paid if you don’t get a ‘win’

Hourly rate

We will agree an hourly rate that the solicitor in charge of your matter will charge – the value of the hourly rate is generally between £150 plus VAT and £296 plus VAT and will depend on the seniority of the solicitor in charge of your matter, the complexity of the work involved, and the volume of work involved. A solicitor will discuss your matter with you in order to determine the complexity of your matter, judge what category of fee earner is appropriate to undertake your work (partner, senior associate solicitor or solicitor), and what hourly rate is therefore appropriate. You will be provided with a cost estimate for the work and a copy of Redmans’ terms and conditions will be sent to you outlining in writing what hourly rate is applicable as well as the cost estimate.

As the work in your matter progresses you will be sent a weekly email updating you on what costs have been incurred in your matter and sending you a cost breakdown.

The Legal Ombudsman has produced a guide of “Ten Questions to ask your lawyer about costs” – this can be found here.

No win no fee

‘No win no fee’ means just that: if you are not ‘successful’ with your claim then you will not have to pay us any fees. ‘Success’ normally means winning your Employment Tribunal claim or an agreed settlement, so normally in these types of cases we don’t get paid unless you do. We operate two types of no win no fee agreements in employment cases: 1) contingency fee agreements (also known as ‘damage based agreements’); and 2) conditional fee agreements. Contingency fee agreements are by far the most common type of no win no fee arrangement used in no win no fee agreements due to the costs regime in the employment tribunal (i.e. that both parties in litigation in the Employment Tribunal generally bears their own costs unless specific exceptions apply).

If you are successful with your claim (or if your case is settled on an agreed basis) then we will normally take an agreed percentage of any amount that is awarded by the court or under the settlement (as applicable) or, if your case is being dealt with under a conditional fee agreement, the other side will pay your costs (to be assessed if not agreed).

Fixed fee

In certain circumstances (for example, advising on a contract of employment or on a settlement agreement) we may be able to offer you a fixed fee for this work. We will agree this fixed fee with you before we undertake the work.

Legal expenses insurance

Legal expenses insurance (“LEI”) could cover you if you are dismissed from your job or suffer some other form of detrimental treatment during your employment.

If you are an individual seeking legal representation then you should check your insurance policies (for example, home insurance policies, car insurance policies etc.) to check whether you do have legal expenses insurance included within this policy. EI is usually sold as an add-on to car or house insurance, generally for a small extra premium. Occasionally it’s included free.

If you are a business then you may also have cover under the relevant policies that the business has.

There is always a limit to how much can be claimed under the policy – usually £25,000, £50,000 or £100,000. The cover is designed to offer protection if you’re faced with a legal dispute. You should discuss with your insurer what coverage you have and obtain a copy of the relevant LEI policy.

If legal proceedings are commenced then you have the right to choose to instruct your own solicitor – the insurer will often want you to use a solicitor from their own ‘panel’ of solicitors but you have the legal right to turn this option down and choose your own.

At Redmans we can help you make a claim for funding from your insurer under the LEI policy – this is not always an easy or straightforward process and there are strict criteria to comply with concerning the reporting of a legal claim and the merits.

Call Redmans today to discuss your employment law matter

Call Redmans on 020 3397 3603 or email us at enquiries@redmans.co.uk to discuss your employment law matter.
Alternatively, you can call Chris Hadrill, the partner responsible for the employment department, on 020 3397 3601 or email him at chadrill@redmans.co.uk.

Contact us

The articles published on this website, current at the date of publication, are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your own circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action.

"Redmans Solicitors" is a trading name of Redmans Ltd (company no: 05872980). Our SRA number is 468098

Redmans Solicitors took a lot of the worry away and were very thoughtful and meticulous in their dealings with my case , thank you very mush , great service and a great job

Posted 2 weeks ago

Mark B

Prompt efficient service. Hourly, and part thereof, billing got a bit stressful at times - as opposed to flat fee - made me think twice about sending an email or making a quick call when I had a query because it would have eaten up minutes from my budget. But happy with the legal service I received overall and would recommend.

Posted 2 weeks ago

Anonymous

Chris Hadrill has provided a truly wonderful service and was willing to lend his support and expertise at a time when other solicitors, only wanted to discuss their fees!
A clear thinking and down to earth professional, Chris can be trusted to listen carefully to your matter, cut through the fog, and advise you on the best (and most realistic) way forward, saving you time, money and heartache. It will be helpful if you first get your ducks in a row in terms of documents / evidence etc. and then contact Chris, (that’s what we did) as this will help your matter to be dealt with faster. The more organised and together you are the more successful you will be.
You'll be fine with Chris, I highly recommend him.
Good luck!

Posted 3 weeks ago

Richard v

Excellent Service

Posted 1 month ago

Anonymous

Very happy from service received. Highly recommend

Posted 1 month ago

Colin W

Very professional and thorough. Sachs who dealt with the bulk of my case was excellent
Thank you. .

Posted 1 month ago

Anonymous

I was generally impressed with the fast turn around, efficiency, responsiveness, and consideration of circumstances. I needed a couple of areas of advice quickly and with Redmans help was able to get to a conclusion quickly and with minimum stress. They were friendly and professional throughout - I'd use them again.

Posted 1 month ago

Anonymous

The guidance and assistance I recently received when using Redman's was fantastic. Caroline & Chris were both very informative and understanding walking me through each step. Thank you.

Posted 1 month ago

Nicola W

Fantastic service, very quick and efficient. Thank you

Posted 1 month ago

Anonymous

Excellent professional service.

Posted 1 month ago

Anonymous

As with All solicitors advice without consequence but understood and communicated my legal position

Posted 2 months ago

Anonymous

Prompt, professional and excellent service.

Posted 2 months ago

Dominic C

Excellent service, prompt and helpful

Posted 2 months ago

Anonymous

I found Redman’s to be very efficient and got me the best deal available in the short time scale that was available.

Excellent service provided by Redmans, will certainly consider using again.

Posted 2 months ago

Melanie H

Very professional and extremely personable service. Thank you very much.

Posted 2 months ago

Anonymous

I found Chris to be very approachable and easy to speak with about complex matters. He took action quickly and his updates to me, as his client, were prompt. I would recommend Chris and the team at Redmans without hesitation.